Four Westminster students selected for URAC podium presentations

Four students have been selected to present their research at podium presentations during this year’s Undergraduate Research and Arts Celebration (URAC) on Wednesday, April 27 at Westminster College.

Back as an in-person event since 2019, and open to the public, URAC showcases the collaborative work between Westminster faculty and its students.

Students selected to present their research during the podium presentation portion of URAC are amongst some of the top researchers at Westminster, all participating in a competitive selection process based on the quality of their submitted abstracts.

Offering in-person podium presentations this year are:

Molly Frank will present “Magic, Mayhem, and Womanhood: The Reclamation of the Witch in Modern Fantasy by Women Authors.” Frank is a senior English major and honors student from Stow, Ohio. Faculty sponsor Dr. Kristianne Kalata, associate professor of English and honors director.

Noah Pollio will present “PCID2 facilitates the nuclear export, but not the centrosomal localization, of BRACA2 in Hs578T breast cancer cells.” Pollio is a senior biology and honors student from New Castle, Pa. Faculty sponsor Dr. Karen Resendes, professor of biology.

Jill Douglas will present “What beliefs and attitudes do gender diverse college students have regarding sexual assault and rape myths on campus?” Douglas is a senior psychology major from Fairhaven, Mass. Faculty sponsor Dr. Sherri Pataki, professor of psychology.

Iris Davis Hall will present “Argumentative Non-Argument: The Combatitve Rhetoric of Marjorie Taylor Green.” Davis Hall is a junior professional communications and leadership major from Niles, Ohio. Faculty sponsor Dr. Randy Richardson, adjunct communications faculty.  

“With the return of URAC being in-person, I am excited to highlight the outstanding work of this select group of undergraduates who represent a broad range of disciplines at the college,” said Resendes, who also serves as the director of the Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research and coordinator of URAC.

Alongside the podium presenters, students ranging from first years to seniors from nearly every academic discipline will participate in the day’s URAC events, which include presentations in the form of oral presentations, research roundtables, poster sessions, videos, performances and art displays.

For a schedule of the day’s events, click here.

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